Perfect pass to Ching sets up tying goal in OT

Published 6:30 am, Monday, November 13, 2006

Brian Mullan (left) said Dwayne De Rosario helped out on his overtime assist.

Brian Mullan (left) said Dwayne De Rosario helped out on his overtime assist.

Photo: Carlos Javier Sanchez, Chronicle

Pressure can't faze Mullan in goal setup

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FRISCO - The New England Revolution appeared to be on the verge of winning the MLS Cup after taking a one-goal lead in overtime.

But when the pressure is on, Dynamo midfielder Brian Mullan says he wants the ball.

The pressure was on, so Mullan got the ball. And he quickly got it to Brian Ching for the equalizer just moments after the New England score.

The game-saving goal in the 114th minute sent Sunday's MLS Cup into a penalty-kick shootout, where the Dynamo prevailed 4-3 before 22,427 spent fans at Pizza Hut Park.

Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad stopped the final kick of New England's Jay Heaps, securing the championship for the Dynamo.

The match came down to that tense final scenario, but Mullan claimed he knew it was in the bag all along.

"I always thought we could win," he said. "I wouldn't be playing if I didn't."

But had it not been for Mullan's heady play, the Dynamo could easily have been coming home empty-handed.

In the 113th minute, New England's Taylor Twellman split two Dynamo defenders and scorched a shot into the opposite corner of the net.

But before the crowd even had a chance to settle back in, Mullan quickly delivered a cross to game MVP Ching, who headed in the equalizer past Matt Reis, the stunned New England keeper.

"That was very huge," Mullan said. "Any more time goes by, maybe you start to think about it. Coming back like that shows you the heart of this team.

"Dwayne (De Rosario) played a great ball in front of my man to bait him in. It just took a touch, and you know if Ching's in the box you just have to give him a chance and put it in there.

"I saw him making the run, but unfortunately — or fortunately — it kind of nicked off of one of the New England players. Chingy's a great finisher, so anything you get to him in the box he's going to finish."

With the Revolution intent on containing De Rosario, making the attacking midfielder the focus of their defense, Mullan found himself free on the wing.

And he took advantage, carrying much more of the possession time.

While his teammates celebrated by guzzling champagne, singing and dancing in the postgame locker room, Mullan calmly stood off to the side, cradling his 19-month-old son Brady.

"This is beautiful," Mullan said. "There's no better feeling than this, except maybe this one right here (his son)."